FEINDEF 2025 brought together over 500 exhibiting companies and drew participation from more than 65 countries, including 100 official delegations. With 35,000 professional attendees expected, IFEMA Madrid was transformed into a powerful platform for cross-sector collaboration, strategic dialogue, and commercial opportunity.
There was strong representation from NATO members, EU partners, and strategic allies from Latin America and the MENA region—a clear reflection of Madrid’s growing role as a trusted centre for multilateral defence innovation.
Dual-Use Technology in the Spotlight
This year’s edition placed a distinct focus on dual-use technologies—innovations with both civilian and military applications. From AI-powered situational awareness systems and autonomous aerial platforms to satellite communications and cybersecurity solutions, the exhibition illustrated how advanced tech is increasingly central to defence strategies.
Notable exhibitors included:
- Indra, showcasing its latest C4ISR solutions with a focus on AI and battlefield digitization.
- GMV, presenting secure satellite navigation and guidance systems for autonomous vehicles.
- Escribano Mechanical & Engineering, unveiling its latest generation of remote weapon stations and electro-optical payloads.
- 3M, highlighting its advanced high-performance materials for military electronics, including Polyimide Film Tapes based on DuPont™ Kapton® for PCB solder masking in high-temperature, high-reliability environments.
Many of these innovations were co-funded through Horizon Europe and the European Defence Fund (EDF), reflecting Spain’s alignment with EU strategic autonomy goals.
Madrid’s Institutional Commitment
The Madrid region maintained a prominent institutional presence, using FEINDEF to underline its ambition to become a leading European aerospace and defence hub. Regional officials highlighted the government’s support for SME internationalisation, dual-use R&D, and talent development.
At the same time, Madrid region hosted a dedicated stand to promote the region as a strategic destination for defence-sector investment. Their message: world-class infrastructure, a highly qualified workforce, and seamless alignment with European innovation priorities.
Space and Strategic Communications
With space emerging as a critical domain in modern defence, FEINDEF 2025 featured a dedicated space pavilion focused on secure communications, satellite resilience, and sovereign infrastructure.
Key highlights included:
- The Spainsat NG programme, a flagship Spanish initiative co-led by Airbus Defence and Space and Hispasat, both with strong operational bases in Madrid.
- Emphasis on Spain’s ambitions to build strategic autonomy in space-based communications, with Madrid positioned as a central node for satellite R&D and secure data networks.
Innovation and Startups Take Centre Stage
One of the major highlights of the exhibition was the Innovation Zone, which featured 38 emerging companies developing disruptive solutions in areas such as:
- Edge computing and AI for tactical operations.
- Secure embedded systems.
- Robotics and sustainable propulsion.
Among them, 11 startups were selected as finalists for the FEINDEF Foundation Entrepreneurship Awards, recognising excellence in defence-tech innovation. Many of these companies are based in Madrid or have emerged from the region’s expanding network of university spin-offs and incubators.
Developing the Future Workforce
FEINDEF 2025 also served as a platform to address the future of talent in defence. Several panel sessions explored education, upskilling, and research-industry integration.
Academic institutions including the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) and Universidad Carlos III contributed to discussions on:
- The need for multidisciplinary engineers with expertise in AI, systems integration, and cyber defence.
- Opportunities for collaboration through joint R&D centres, doctoral programmes, and industry placements.
FEINDEF 2025 reaffirmed Madrid’s standing as a centre of excellence in defence, aerospace, and dual-use technologies. The exhibition not only strengthened Spain’s profile within the European defence landscape but also provided an essential platform for strategic alignment between government, industry, and academia.
As global challenges evolve and the demand for technological resilience intensifies, Madrid is uniquely positioned to lead the way—offering the industrial capacity, innovation ecosystem, and international partnerships needed to shape the future of defence in Europe and beyond.